Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-12-28


terdsy's GAZETTE coroner's jury was yes
terday summoned 10 hold an inquest over
the remains of the late G. 81. House, who
was on Sunday last killed by train on thu
A. 4 F. Ry, but in the absence of material
witnesses the matter was postponed TIL
TO day AT 1890 to-day, at Mr.. Wheatley's
undertaking establishment, DR.. Powell, the
coroner, took the evidence in the case be.
fore the jury, composed of Messrs. Thomas
HOY, Chas. Glover, A. F. Cox, Jas. McCuen,
Wm. Simpson and ]. r. Jasper
The first witness was j. e. Henderson,
who testified that he had seen Mr.. House
The morning of the accident and they had
arranged to go out in the country together !;
he was to wait for House for half an hour,
but did not see him again. Later heard
House had been been killed. The deceased
had frequently told him OF his troubles and
had said to him mora than once that he
wished he was dead.
Frank Warder and Jno. O'Neal gave I'm.
important testimony.
jerry Desmond, the engineer of the train
which killed Mr.. House, testified that be
Left Washington so minutes late and had to
stop in that city 10 allow another train TO
get out Of his way which made him lose 5 or
6 minutes more when he reached st. Asaph
Junction he blew for the crossing his train
was running between 40 and 40 miles an
hour saw woman and two children near
Roberts's crossing and they got out of the
way he next SAW man on the track aud
blew the danger whistle, expecting 10 see
him step off the track, bat he paid no atteu
ton to the warning the man was walking
south. the same direction the train was 60
ing, and had his back to the train could
not get the man to notice the approach of
the train and then witness shut oil steam
applied brakes, gave the engine sand and as
he approached the man, who still would not
get of the track, he saw ii was impossible
to keep from striking him so he ducked his
head TO keep from seeing him struck ; the
man WAS walking in the middle OF the track
with his head down when ne first saw him
and continued to 50 walk. When the man
was struck the steam was off. the air brakes
down, the whistle blowing aud everything
was done to prevent the accident. After
having bit the man the train ran a few car
lengths, when it stopped and was backed to
the scene of the accident and man left in
charge OF the remains. 1t was common
occurrence for people 10 walk on the track
and to step off when trains approached.
The accident occurred about 1l:45 O'Clock.
Jno. Duncan, the telegraph operator at
St. Asaph Junction, said he heard the en-
CINE blow like something was on the track,
went out of Ills Office and saw tbs train stop;
saw lady going down the road VINO thought
something bad happened TO one of her
children the lady sale. she had met Mrs.
Ketchum coming up the track and thSt she
said man had been killed.
WIN. Cogan knew nothing of the accident
till told of it.
Henry Williams, the fireman of the traia,
said he left Washington 80 to 80 minutes
late, and was DELAYED in getting out of the
city by some cars when he approached the
w. Il O. bridge lie blew for the Junction;
ran on q little further aud saw q woman
and Two children on the track
later saw man walking on thu track with
his head down aud the engineer blow his
whistle the man took no notice. of the
warning and walked on apparently uncou
cerned like he was in a deep study. The
engineer did everything to prevent the acci
dent; just before the mau was struck he
turned his head and looked towards he CT
CINE.
Geo. Baggett q special policeman on the
day of the accident, saw Mr.. House on the
platform at he local depot three qua:te-s
Of an hour before the accident. uouse told
him he had difficulty with young man
who had threatened 10 get cut warrant fnT
his arrest. Later he heard OF the killing
John Lewis, colored boy, (who did not
know the nature OF an oath sGid he sax
Mr.. House about 10 o'clock that morning
sitting on the side of the track at S.. Assph
Junction with his shoes off
1t was stated here by several persons
that the shoes bad been founG--one on
either side OF The track. The shoes and hat
were exhibited
IOhn Il bo hah fl,t my
walk towards the ,ace course on the morn
ing of the accident. On his way back met
Mr.. House with lady and three children.
Came On, heard whistle, ard saw train stop
and men get Oft Thought one of the per.
sons he had met going north had been hurt.
Ii was not more than six minutes from the
time he saw Mr.. House TO the time of the
accident. and Mr.. House then had on his
shoes. Thought he knew who the lady was
but would not swear to it. Went back and
saw where MIR Houses body was lying; it
was 200 wards south OF RobersS lane and
Is or % feet south Of the cattle guard. This
was abou: 1l:45 o'clock.
John West was the rear hagman of the
train; before the train passed st. Asaph
Junction heard danger whistle and felt the
engineer shut down the sir brakes.
Owen Nugent testified he had seen Mr..
HouSe NJ ~ O'CLOCK tuS EloEHluB VI VIC aCSi'
dent; that he had been drinking, but was
not under the Influence Of liquor.
Elan Jeffries. brakeman, testified TO
having heard the danger whistle; the train
stopped q short time thereafter, when he got
of and was left in charge of the remains.
John Robinson, the florist, came cut ofhis
house after the killing and saw Mrs. Ketch
um sobbing.
Mrs. Ketchum testified that she and her
children saw Mr.. House near Mr.. Robin
sons. He turned around to so home, and
walked little distance with them. Had
his shoes on. Mr.. House heard the
whistle blow and remarked that it was not o
local train. Mr.. House made no allusion of
trouble to her Did not see the accident and
did no: know Mr.. House was killed until
her husband told her.